Produced by Jim Sclavunos (of Grinderman and Nick Cave + The Bad Seeds), David J Roch’s debut album offers a collection of darkly romantic compositions of epic sweep. Whether set against a backdrop of lush orchestration, stark electronic ambience or thrumming crescendos, Roch’s voice compels and mesmerizes as it leaps from sonorous baritone to soaring falsetto.
David’s stirring vocal style resonates with echoes of both Tim and Jeff Buckley or Nick Drake, also bringing to mind singers well outside the folk milieu such as Matt Berninger (The National) or Antony Hegarty. But it is jazz chanteuses Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday that David cites as his personal inspirations, while lyrically he feels a kinship with poets as timeless as William Blake or as contemporary as Simon Armitage.
The Devil Don't Mind
David J. Roch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ohh... The devil don't mind what he dont know
Ohh... The devil don't mind what he dont know
I guess that's why he's my friend
Ohh... The devil don't care much anymore
Ohh... The devil don't care much anymore
Ohh... The devil don't care much anymore
There is no point in awaken him now
I think there's somebody there
Gazing at me with the nicest stare
But I know there's nobody there
Ohh... The devil don't care what you do
Ohh... The devil don't care what you do
Ohh... The devil don't care what you do
I guess that's why he's my pal
And there is no point in being well behave
And there is no point in being well behave
And there is no point in being well behave
No what you stood in your own grave
And I think there's somebody watching me
I think there's somebody there
Gazing at me with the nicest stare
But I know there's nobody there
And I think there's somebody watching me
I think there's somebody there
Gazing at me with the nicest stare
But I know
And I think there's somebody watching me
I think there's somebody there
Gazing at me with the nicest stare
But I know there's nobody
The lyrics of David J. Roch's song The Devil Don't Mind explore the idea that the devil does not care about what he does not know, but instead focuses on what he does know. The repetition of the line "Ohh... The devil don't mind what he don't know" emphasizes this idea and highlights the devil's lack of interest in the unknown. This is contrasted with the observation that someone is watching the singer with a "nicest stare," suggesting a sense of comfort and security despite the devil's indifference. The repeated line "And there is no point in being well behaved" reinforces the idea that adherence to societal norms and expectations is fruitless, and ultimately, death is inevitable ("No what you stood in your own grave"). The song suggests that it is better to embrace one's own nature, flaws and all, rather than striving for a false sense of perfection.
The use of the devil as a metaphor is interesting, as it typically represents evil and temptation, but in this song, he serves as a symbol of acceptance and understanding. The overall message of the song seems to be that it is better to accept your flaws and embrace your true self rather than trying to conform to societal expectations or seeking validation from others. It encourages listeners to be true to themselves and to not worry about societal judgments.
Line by Line Meaning
The devil don't mind what he dont know
The devil doesn't care about things that he is unaware of
Ohh... The devil don't mind what he dont know
The devil doesn't let ignorance bother him
Ohh... The devil don't mind what he dont know
The devil remains indifferent to things he doesn't know
I guess that's why he's my friend
The devil's carefree attitude is what makes him a close associate
Ohh... The devil don't care much anymore
The devil no longer finds interest or concern in certain things
Ohh... The devil don't care much anymore
The devil has become apathetic towards certain things he once cared about
Ohh... The devil don't care much anymore
The devil has lost his passion and enthusiasm for things he once enjoyed
There is no point in awaken him now
It is pointless to disturb the devil from his current state of indifference
And I think there's somebody watching me
The artist feels like they are being observed by an external force
I think there's somebody there
The artist senses the presence of someone or something
Gazing at me with the nicest stare
The singer perceives the observer as having a friendly or pleasant expression
But I know there's nobody there
The artist understands that their belief about the presence of an observer is false
Ohh... The devil don't care what you do
The devil doesn't judge or place value on a person's actions
Ohh... The devil don't care what you do
The devil views all actions as equal and unimportant
Ohh... The devil don't care what you do
The devil remains indifferent towards any actions a person may take
I guess that's why he's my pal
The devil's lack of judgment is what makes him a close friend
And there is no point in being well behave
There is no benefit to being well-behaved or following social norms
And there is no point in being well behave
Conforming to societal standards serves no purpose
And there is no point in being well behave
Behaving properly will not change the inevitable outcome
No what you stood in your own grave
Regardless of behavior, everyone will eventually meet their end
And I think there's somebody watching me
The artist still senses an observer's presence
I think there's somebody there
The artist is still convinced that something or someone is watching them
Gazing at me with the nicest stare
The singer continues to perceive the observer's expression as friendly
But I know
Despite their belief, the artist acknowledges that they cannot fully trust their own perception
And I think there's somebody watching me
The singer still feels like there is an external force observing them
I think there's somebody there
The singer's belief of an observer's presence remains strong
Gazing at me with the nicest stare
The observer's expression continues to convey friendliness towards the singer
But I know there's nobody
Despite their belief, the artist accepts that they are alone and nobody is watching them
Contributed by Grayson R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.